James Sinclair Tailor

[NigelBurch]

Hello all - I need help with the Sinclair family.

Facts James Sinclair and Janet/Jannet/Jennet in 1841 England census.  He is a tailor.  Both originated from Scotland (where?) and both born 1787-1791.  At least 3 children James Sinclair Jr (b1808-1809 Scotland), Janet (b1822ish), Elizabeth (b1822-1826).  In 1851, James Sr is not on census (presumed dead-can not find death cert).  James Jr is living with mother and listed as Chelsea pensioner.  Janet Jr marries twice (1st James Jay 1843 Ongar - 2nd James Harpwood 1851 Woolwich).

Assumptions/unproven.  Have checked army records and found a James Sinclair matching Jr's age who enlisted in 91st foot regiment in Glasgow, giving his birthplace as Canongate, Edinburgh.  This gives his occupation as a tailor, which would tie in with his potential father (MY James Sr)'s profession.  Assuming that this is the right James Jr and that his parents were married in Edinburgh, I have found two marriages for James Sinclair and Janet at the time, listed in ScotlandsPeople.  1st James m Janet White in South Leith 1810.  Janet-daughter of Robert White.  James occupation is listed either as Sailor or Tailor but I think it is more likely to be Sailor given his location near the docks.  2nd is James m Janet Duncan 1805 Canongate.  Janet daughter of William Duncan - weaver.  This ties in with where the soldier James Jr was born but James Sr's occupation is listed as Inverness Militia (now known to be Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn Militia), could he also have been a tailor?

I have too many assumptions so I am looking for proof and other leads that can extend the Scottish side of my family back.  Also, because of the gap between children, there may be others, I am not aware of.  Please help if you can.

[NigelBurch]

Please if there is anybody that can assist with the message I posted below, as 2 years later, I am still no further forward in how to trace the below and wondered if there is anybody that can give me any pointers as to where to start looking?  Having been made redundant, I now have some time on my hands and would be prepared to come to Scotland to start looking but need some proper direction as the information I can be sure about is still quite vague.

"Hello all - I need help with the Sinclair family.

Facts James Sinclair and Janet/Jannet/Jennet in 1841 England census.  He is a tailor.  Both originated from Scotland (where?) and both born 1787-1791.  At least 3 children James Sinclair Jr (b1808-1809 Scotland), Janet (b1822ish England), Elizabeth (b1822-1826 England).  In 1851, James Sr is not on census (presumed dead-can not find death cert).  James Jr is living with mother and listed as Chelsea pensioner.  Janet Jr marries twice (1st James Jay 1843 Ongar - 2nd James Harpwood 1851 Woolwich).

Assumptions/unproven.  Have checked army records and found a James Sinclair matching Jr's age who enlisted in 91st foot regiment in Glasgow, giving his birthplace as Canongate, Edinburgh.  This gives his occupation as a tailor, which would tie in with his potential father (MY James Sr)'s profession.  Assuming that this is the right James Jr and that his parents were married in Edinburgh, I have found two marriages for James Sinclair and Janet at the time, listed in ScotlandsPeople.  1st James m Janet White in South Leith 1810.  Janet-daughter of Robert White.  James occupation is listed either as Sailor or Tailor but I think it is more likely to be Sailor given his location near the docks.  2nd is James m Janet Duncan 1805 Canongate.  Janet daughter of William Duncan - weaver.  This ties in with where the soldier James Jr was born but James Sr's occupation is listed as Inverness Militia (now known to be Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn Militia), could he also have been a tailor?

I have too many assumptions so I am looking for proof and other leads that can find the births of James Sr and Jr and Jannet Sr or otherwise extend the Scottish side of my family back.  Also, because of the gap between children, there may be others, I am not aware of.  Please please help if you can give any hints.  Thanks

[flst]

Hi,I've found that James & Janet Sinclair(nee White)had 2 daughters,Margaret b 1/6/1817 & Mary Ann b 15/04/1812.This was in South Leith,Midlothian,according to familysearch.This information may point to the other couple being more likely your ancestors.
flst

[NigelBurch]

Thanks flst - sounds hopeful - there had to be other siblings born as there is too much of a gap between what I have as firstborn James Jr (c1809) and second born Janet Jr (c1822).  Would it have been common in Scottish families at the time for the 3rd (or 4th or 5th) female to be named after the mother rather than the first born female? 
If I go down the White family connection, is it conceivable that James Jr would have been born (illegitimate) in Canongate before they married in South Leith a year or two later before having further children in Leith.  I know it's not a great distance in today's terms, but they are I think a few miles apart.

Thanks for your help - much appreciated